5K For Pediatric Cancer

I don't run races very often, and now that I think about it, I haven't ran very much in these last few months, even knowing that I signed up for races. That certainly doesn't stop me from signing up again and again though. This time I signed up for a 5K that was located in the town right next to mine, which was a relief to Sal because he didn't have to wake up early and drive really far, like we have for some of my previous races. That morning, I bundled up, it was a chilly October morning in Jersey, and we all know how those brutal those fall mornings can be, and we headed to the race.

I knew that two of my friends had signed up, and when I got there, I ended up seeing two more ladies that I knew from CKO Kickboxing. I ended up starting the race with them, and kept up pace for the first mile, now seeing as how I hadn't run in awhile, I thought that was pretty great, but eventually I couldn't keep up, so I tried to keep a steady pace on my own. I definitely slowed down, but it helped seeing Sal at different points during the race. He definitely motivates me to keep going (with anything in life), and to never give up. All kinds of cramps were in full force by the time I hit the second mile, but I kept going. I am not the kind of person to give up, ever.

By the time I saw the finish line, I ran with everything I had, and ended up with a new PR - I came in 45th place overall & 4th in my age group (20-29) with a time of 26:36, with an 8:35 average pace. I couldn't believe it, and I also couldn't breathe. I needed water right away, so I cooled down by walking over to grab a bottle of water. When we saw the results, I was proud, but I'm not going to lie... I was pretty upset with myself because I was 1 place away from getting a medal. If I had run a little faster, I would've placed third. I quickly realized that I couldn't be thinking like that... that I had surpassed goals and had really accomplished something, medal not included. I didn't give up... I pushed myself harder than ever before... I beat my PR for a mile AND a 5K. We can't go around comparing ourselves to others, nor can we wonder what if, all that we can do is give something our all and hope for the best.

We decided to head to the bar later that day for some drinks and football, and of course, since Sal's Packers were playing, we knew that we were going to watch the game, so why not have a good time out while we're at it. Thankfully that Packers won, or I'm sure that would've been one hell of a ride home, and not the good kind.

He supports me, and in return I support him. GO PACK GO!

Foam Fest 2014

If you would have asked me if you should do the Foam Fest after last year's run, I would have said "Hell Yea!" I completed the run with Sal and two ladies who I met through kickboxing. It was difficult, and yet so fun. We found ourselves facing an uphill battle against obstacles full of mud and foam, inflatables and pits.

Unfortunately, this year was not the same. I am glad that none of my friends paid money to join me, because it would have been a major let down for them - as it was for Sal and I. We had such high expectations from the run last year, but we knew it was going to be terrible when we arrived. It was in Brooklyn, which isn't a terrible drive, but it's long nonetheless. As soon as we got in line to sign in, we realized that we were not going to make our race time. Even though we had gotten there early, much earlier than the papers said to, we waited in line for what seemed like an hour, because the volunteers did not have their act together. I wasn't the only one in line who was annoyed, everyone was getting frustrated. And who could blame them? When we finally signed in, we quickly ran to the bathroom and hopped on line for the next race time. We were still excited for the race to start, and weren't about to let the sign in process get us down.

Sal and I were at the head of the line, and when we heard that bell go off, we started running! Obstacle after obstacle we were let down. Sal had his Go-Pro on to capture some great moments. We found ourselves running on concrete for longer than any other obstacle course run that we've ran. It seemed the obstacles were far and few in between. When we did finally reach an obstacle, most of them had a line, which caused us to wait even longer. When we reached the end, we came to the biggest inflatable slide, and I'm pretty sure that was the highlight of the race. We crossed the finish line together and received our medals and free photos were taken, which I loved. Races usually make you pay for photos, so I was glad ours was free, especially after such a terrible run.

We made it though, and enjoyed our free Mike's Hard afterwards. We won't be doing this run next year, although I hear that even if we want to, we can't since Foam Fest (as well as many other runs) have went bankrupt. We'll just have to find more funs to do together!

Dirty Girl Mud Run 2013

For my third and final act... Nope not a magician... But I might be a runner! I ran three 5Ks this summer, one during each month, and my third and final one was the Dirty Girl Mud Run! I even met up with several Tone It Up girls and we ran together as a team - Dirty Mudder Fers! It was so empowering running with other women who are all such motivating individuals, who have the same goals, and live such a healthy lifestyle (at least most of the time, right?! ha!). We designed our own shirts, and looked like a team, a force that could not be reckoned with! We even met up with a few more TIU girls when we arrived!


While I've been asked to join Spartan teams, and I've even considered doing other mud runs, I'm glad this was my first! Not only was it all women, but we all had each other to push one another to the finish line; some even pushed one another into muddy water... All in good fun, I promise! It was by far the most hilarious mud run I've ever run, yet! It instilled even more confidence in me than I thought was ever possible!

My boyfriend came for support, and he ended up following me for the whole race, snapping pictures and catching some hilarious moments on film, such as me jumping into the muddy water and through a tube! It was quite exhilarating, and I didn't even feel like it was a 5K because I was too busy completing obstacles to even notice that I was running, and running quite fast with two of my tone it up sisters! The obstacles made the time go by extremely fast, from running in mud and crawling through tubes in muddy water, to climbing over rope ladders and balancing on wooden logs.

It wasn't timed, but I know we did pretty well, finishing it in under 45 minutes! A group of us made it to the finish line, and then waited for the rest of our team, and when we saw them running, we rsn back out there to finish all together! I couldn't have completed it without those ladies, and it was such and amazing feeling to run through the finish line all together, and of course splashing around in the mud a bit more!

I was shocked that Sal was actually willing to go grab a Taylor ham, egg, and cheese (a New Jersey staple), in public, while I was slightly muddy still. He wouldn't even hug me after the run, although I can't blame him! I was covered in mud and dirty water. Thankfully they had a tent with showers and a place to change after the race, because I don't think Sal would have let me get into his car without one, he would've probably cut some holes in a garbage bag for my head, arms, and legs... Or maybe just enough room for my face to stick out because I'm telling you I was covered!


Let's just say, I'll definitely be signing up for this race next year! Who's with me?!

The Color Run 2013

I signed up for the Color Run with a bunch of Tone It Up girls. I'm normally shy when meeting new people, but I felt the need to push my boundaries and be outgoing. We had planned to meet at the race rather early but Sal and I ended up getting lost thanks to technology, and while I ended up being on time for the run, most of the girls had start times at that time, so I ended up running by myself. It was nerve racking standing there at the start line by myself, but I knew Sal was there at the finish line waiting for me, with his handmade shirt... my #1 fan.  I refused to let not only him down, but my self down. It was unbearably hot, and there were times that I wanted to slow down, but I ran. I ran the whole thing and I did it by myself. No one else received credit for this 5K when I crossed the finish line. It was me and only me, pushing myself until I had nothing left to give. I looked at the next color and told myself I could make it, and kept repeating it.

Just before I crossed the finish line, I saw Sal. I saw him before he saw me and I started smiling and screaming. He filmed me as I crossed that line, as I was shaking with excitement. I couldn't believe I had just completed a real 5K by myself. It wasn't timed and I wasn't even concerned with the time. It was all me. 

We walked around and ate some free samples, took more pictures of my colorful attire, and then met up with some of my Tone It Up sisters for a picnic. While I brought bananas, the rest of the girls brought blankets, chocolate Zico, and other healthy snacks. We sat together, talking and getting to know one another. It was great being able to talk to other girls about fitness and clean eating, two things I've grown to love.

And even though I ate clean that morning, it didn't stop me from going into my local bagel shop and ordering a Taylor ham, egg, and cheese. I'm just keeping it real.